10 Faulknerian Random Thoughts

• One of Hank "The Hammer" Paulson's mentors was none other than my former neighbor, Bob Blackman. In fact he endowed the Dartmouth football head coaching position in Blackman's name to the tune of $2 million. I find it a little bit scary that the man entrusted to restore American capitalism through temporary socialism, was shaped by the same guy who couldn't remember his players names at Illinois. I guess there is some sort of cosmic symmetry in that Paulsen is attempting execute from deep in the Blackman playbook by callling the same cross field lateral on a kickoff that Lonnie Perrin and George Uremovitch succesfully pulled off in one of my first Illini games, only this time it is with the American capital markets and economy. At least his point guy on TARP is an Illini grad.
• The Steve Feagin news really bothered me. I felt kind of dirty for a few seconds that I ever rooted for the guy while he was in the O & B. I guess it shows that for every Howard Griffith, who carries our name high in life, there will always be someone there to sully it. Also who was the idiot at the DIA who put the clip of Harry Goisier leading the Illini onto the field in the History of Illinois football video that was shown at the Rededication game? That is one guy you want to forget was ever associated with the program. At least he went to Michigan also so he was not ours alone.
• I like Ron Turner as a football coach. I didn't always like him as a recruiter or program manager, but I always felt he represented us with class, and was really effective when he had the players, like in 01. I think the Bears are going to win the NFC North, because Turner's offense will continue to be productive, despite what the preseason prognosis was. He has more talent than we thought, and RT generally does pretty well in that position. I also think Harry Hiestedt has done a pretty good job so far this year. I also like the fact that I can appear much smarter than I am to my fellow Bear fans when I can say the is going to run this play or that play. It goes to show you that if a football mope like me knows whats coming, an NFL DC probably does also, and that the real game is on the player's, their talent, and their ability to execute.
• Why do I have more angst going into the Minnesota game at home than I did against Michigan on the road? I think the Illini win, but that this game will be closer than the Michigan game. You know Brewster is going to have his guys up emotionally and I think Timmy has a big chip on this shoulder coming in to Memorial Stadium for the first time. I hope we don't come out flat. This game can't be last seasons Iowa game. Also I think we should make Brewster wear his Illinois Renaissance throwback while coaching on Saturday.
• I think Troy Pollard is going to be a much bigger factor over the next two games. I also think that Regus is going to take one to the house on a kickoff or punt.
• With our move to the BTN, why are we still playing so many 11:00 am games? I thought we would move up to a couple 2:30 games. I hate 11:00 am games because it is a grind to get down on time from Chicago with my game day crew. It's like herding cats. I always feel rushed up until the time we get into the stadium. I do like the tailgating afterwards but getting down to CU is a bitch.
• Can you imagine trying to tackle Jeff Cumberland in the open field?
• Jeff Allen has done a great job, given his youth and inexperience over the last 2 weeks.
• Speaking of the Big Ten Network, Charissa Thompson looks much better as a blond. She was sporting a dark haired bottled look that didn't quite get it done last week at the IU - Minnesota game. A kind of a 2 am in a bar near Mattoon kind of look, if you will.
• You know your old when you vividly recall the Kent Kitzman 57 carry pounding the Gophers put on the Illini back in the Moeller years, '77 I think. That guy ran wild that day.